Barista CV examples

This guide will take you through writing a Barista CV that highlights your beverage-making expertise and customer service strengths. By the end, you’ll have a CV that ensures you’re the top choice for any coffee-loving employer.

Your CV needs to be as inviting and well-structured as the café environment you create. Recruiters want to quickly see your ability to prepare top-quality beverages, maintain hygiene standards, and engage customers with warmth and efficiency, without needing to wade through an unnavigable mess of a CV.

Here’s how to structure your Barista CV:

• Name and contact details – Place these at the top for quick access. Adding a photo is completely optional.
• CV profile – Hook the reader with a concise summary of your coffee knowledge, customer focus, and reliability.
• Core skills – Briefly highlight your barista strengths, from espresso extraction to latte art and POS systems, with a small number of bullet points.
• Work experience – Detail your roles in reverse chronological order, emphasising responsibilities and achievements.
• Education – Show off academic qualifications like degrees, and certifications relevant to hospitality or food safety.
• Additional info – You’re also free to mention hobbies and interests, awards, or special training (like latte art courses).

Your CV format should mirror the neatness and clarity you bring to your work behind the counter. Even with strong experience, poor formatting can obscure your talents, so keep it clean and consistent.

Formatting tips for a Barista CV:

• Bullet points – Use them to break down tasks and achievements into easy-to-scan details.
• Divide sections – Clear headings help recruiters navigate your CV’s layout to find key information quickly.
• Use a clear font and colour scheme – Opt for readability over flair: stick to crisp fonts that are easy to read.
• Keep it under 2 pages – Focus on your best qualities and most relevant experience without boring the recruiter with unnecessary detail.

Just like an espresso shot, your professional profile is here to deliver an immediate kick to the reader: summarise your coffee expertise, friendly demeanour, and punctual, efficient work habits with just a few lines. It should convince the recruiter to read on some more

Make sure your profile is tailored to the role you’re after: but generally, it should include the following:

• Where you’ve worked – Mention the types of cafés, coffee shops, or restaurants you’ve staffed.
• Your top qualifications – Highlight barista training courses, food safety certificates, or hospitality diplomas.
• Essential coffee skills – Include espresso extraction, milk steaming, latte art, and understanding of coffee beans/origins.
• Customers you’ve served – Reference your experience catering to a diverse clientele, from busy commuters to weekend brunch crowds.
• Tools you’ve used – Mention familiarity with espresso machines, grinders, POS systems, and cleaning equipment.
• Special requests handled – If you’ve got experience handling things like vegan coffee or sugar-free syrup, mention your broad range of skills here.

Now for your CV’s cafe menu board: your core skills consist of clear categories, tempting options, and a quick way for recruiters to see what’s on offer. 

It will show employers why you’re the barista who can keep customers coming back. Focus on practical coffee-making abilities and the interpersonal skills that make customers feel welcome.

Your work experience is where you demonstrate how your coffee skills and customer focus translate into a great café atmosphere. Show your progression from simpler tasks to more complex responsibilities, and highlight moments where you improved service or efficiency.

List your roles in reverse chronological order. If you’re newer to the role, include volunteering, internships, or any related customer service experience that shows transferable skills.

• Outline – Briefly describe the café or coffee shop, your role, and the environment (high-volume commuter café, artisan coffee bar, etc.).
• Responsibilities – Highlight tasks like preparing drinks, maintaining cleanliness, or upselling baked goods. Use action verbs like “brewed,” “served,” or “recommended.”
• Achievements – Add measurable outcomes, such as reducing wait times, increasing sales of a particular product, or receiving positive feedback from customers.

The education section shows the training or qualifications that underpin your barista skills. It can be brief, focusing on any hospitality diplomas, food safety courses, or barista training programmes.

List qualifications in reverse chronological order. If you’re newer to the profession, emphasise courses or workshops that demonstrate your growth potential.